Bloom Cafe in Adelaide by Sans-Arc.

Sans-Arc have devised a new cafe and function space for Bloom by the Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens in the Adelaide suburb of Thebarton. Tucked in behind the old West End Brewery, the space is layered and full of light as the designers embraced the natural surrounds.

The second venture for their hands-on clients who have previously opened a shipping container, cafe Bloom was to be bigger and more aspirational. The brief had three main requirements — a space that maintained the rustic, handmade aesthetic from their first venue, a multifunctional space with distinct zones and lastly to ensure the open wood fire cooking was the heart of the interior.

San-Arc looked to embrace the volume — an old carriage works building, by simplifying the existing fabric to its most basic elements and introducing two free-standing forms that underpin the program — a floating bar and arched open wood grill. These two elements bookend a layered, slighting sunken dining space. Adjacent to the river, additional glazing opens views to the east, embracing large gum trees along Karrawirra Parri and emphasising the natural, light feeling of the building. The material selection embraces subtle contrasts and fine grain textures. The intention was to do more with less by being logical, effective and beautiful. Clean, textural white render for the walls, a hardwearing stone floor that will patina with wear, warm Victorian Ash and masonry elements all sit under a bright and light green raked ceiling.

With a slim budget, Sans-Arc applied simple and robust materials to the existing building allowing them to focus the majority of budget and energy on the joinery elements and layers within the space. Circulation paths along the east and west boundary walls allow the envelope to breathe, emphasising the long, gabled volume of space. The joinery elements within the space create layering that is dynamic yet comfortable, subtle curves contrast strong lines creating tucked away, intimate and convivial seating arrangements. The excellence in this design resides in its balance of pragmatism and sculpture. With a hyper-functional layout, the designers used subtle textures and contrasting forms to create a unique interior that embraces the texture of its surroundings.

Though the client took on a 10-year lease, the design team was mindful of leaving the envelope of the building in good shape for future occupants and emphasising the quality and character of the building. The identity and feeling of the space was created through the fit-out elements but the beautiful shell will be able to be embraced by future tenants. “In a world of venues being demolished and re-fit regularly, we dream of coming into spaces where our process is simplified by the existing building, a beautiful envelope, where a few simple moves inside create a space perfect for the offering,” concludes the team.

Related: Midi Cafe in Melbourne by Sans-Arc.

[Images courtesy of Sans-Arc. Photography by Jonathan VDK.]